French initiative for responsible AI leaders

ESSEC Business School and Accenture have announced the launch of a new initiative, ‘AI for Responsible Leadership,’ which marks the 10th anniversary of the esta

ESSEC Business School and Accenture have announced the launch of a new initiative, ‘AI for Responsible Leadership,’ which marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the role of Chair at ESSEC, titled the ESSEC Accenture Strategic Business Analytics Chair.

The initiative aims to encourage the use of artificial intelligence by leaders in ways that are responsible and ethical, and that lead to high levels of professional performance. It aims to provide current and future leaders with the skills they require when faced with challenges in the future; economic, environmental, or social.

Several organisations support the initiative, including institutions, businesses, and specialised groups, including ESSEC Metalab for Data, Technology & Society, and Accenture Research.

Executive Director of the ESSEC Metalab, Abdelmounaim Derraz, spoke of the collaboration, saying, “Technical subjects are continuing to shake up business schools, and AI has opened up opportunities for collaboration between partner companies, researchers, and other members of the ecosystem (students, think tanks, associations, [and] public service).”

ESSEC and Accenture aim to integrate perspectives from multiple fields of expertise, an approach that is a result of experimentation in the decade the Chair has existed.

The elements of the initiative include workshops and talks designed to promote the exchange of knowledge and methods. It will also include a ‘barometer’ to help track AI’s implementation and overall impact on responsible leadership.

The initiative will engage with a network of institutions and academic publications, and an annual Grand Prix will recognise projects that focus on and explore the subject of AI and leadership.

Fabrice Marque, founder of the initiative and the current ESSEC Accenture Strategics Business Analytics Chair, said, “For years, we have explored the potential of using data and artificial intelligence in organisations. The synergies we have developed with our partners (Accenture, Accor, Dataiku, Engie, Eurofins, MSD, Orange) allowed us to evaluate and test innovative solutions before deploying them.

“With this initiative, we’re taking a major step: bringing together an engaged ecosystem to sustainably transform how leaders think, decide, and act in the face of tomorrow’s challenges. Our ambition is clear: to make AI a lever for performance, innovation and responsibility for […] leaders.”